Means of controlling fluid supply



N 23 19 F. GAWAN MEANS OF CONTROLLING FLUID SUPPLY Filed March 15, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. 64 W4 /V ATTORNEY.

Nov. 28, 1939. GAWAN 2.181,422

MEANS OF CONTROLLING FLUID SUPPLY Filed March 15, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY.

Patented Nov. 28, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEANS OF CONTROLLING FLUID SUPPLY Application March 15, 1937, Serial No. 130,886

15 Claims.

This invention relates to a method and system of controlling the operation of a control mechanism and also relates to a time-control mechanism for electric circuits, particularly, circuits designed for intermittent operation.

It is a primary object of the invention to provide a control that may be set initially to effect the closing of a normally open circuit for a selected time interval, and will thereafter close the circuit for the same interval during each operation until reset.

Another object of the invention is to control the intermittent opening of a valve to pass a predetermined quantity of matter automatically through the same in successive operations.

A further object of the invention is the provision of a visible adjustment device permitting precise variations in the period of actuation of the mechanism.

Other objects reside in novel combinations and arrangements of parts and in novel details of construction as will appear'more fully in the course of the following description.

While the invention is applicable to various uses where time control mechanisms are employed, it has been found to be well suited in controlling the admission of wash water to centrifugal baskets in sugar refineries, and the like, and for purposes of illustration, such an application of the invention has been shown in the drawings.

Referring further to the drawings, in the several views of which like parts have been designated similarly,

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a control mechanism embodying the present invention,

Figure 2 is a section taken along the line 22, Figure 1,

Figure 3 is a section taken along the line 3--3,

Figure 1,

Figure 4 is a wiring diagram, illustrating the operative arrangement of elements in the present invention, including a controlled valve.

Figure 5 is a front elevation of the control mechanism casing of Figure l, drawn to a reduced scale, and

Figure 6 is a section taken along the line 6-6, Figure 1 and drawn to a reduced scale.

In the drawings, the reference numeral I indicates a casing in which the operating parts of the mechanism are housed, the front of the casing being normally closed by a removable cover 8, which has an entrance 9 in its lower portion normally covered by a. closure plate III.

When the mechanism is to be installed in a moist atmosphere, care should be taken to maintain the interior in a dry condition and to this end a gasket I2 is provided for closure plate I!) and another gasket I3 is provided for the cover 8.

The operating mechanism comprises a syn- 5 ehronous motor l4 fixed on a suitable support l5. As an example, this motor will be described as a 1 R. P. M. motor, it being understood that the essential feature of any given motor is that it operate at a constant speed, whereas the speed 10 at which several such motors revolve can be varied through a considerable range in the various applications of the invention.

The motor H has a driven shaft l5 extending forwardly through a bearing bracket [1 on the 15 support I5 and a dielectric disk i8 of Bakilite, or other suitable composition, is fixed for conjoint rotation at its end by means of a cotter I9, or other suitable fastening.

The cover 8 has a dial 2!! on its exposed face 2 and a shaft 2| extends through cover 8 and dial 20 coaxially with shaft IS. A knurled knob 22 carrying a position indicator 23 registering with the graduations of the dial 20 is fastened on the end of the shaft 2| extending outside casing 'l, 25 and a suitable stufling gland 24 in a recess 25 in cover 8 prevents passage of moisture along the shaft, and also prevents any accidental change in position of a disk 28.

The shaft 2| extends interiorly through a bear- 30 ing bracket 26 on support l5 and terminates within a recess 21 in disk 18, coaxial of shaft I6.

A dielectric disk 28 is fixed on shaft 2| for conjoint rotation therewith and is located in spaced relation to disk I8. 35

The disk l8, as best shown in Figure 3, acts as a cam and is notched at its periphery as indicated at 29. The cam has a laterally projecting pin 30 near its periphery at a selected distance rearwardly of the notch 29, with respect to the direc- 0 tion of rotation of the cam It.

The notch is of substantially triangular shape, the rim of the disk at the notch receding gradually from a true circumference nearest the pin and returning substantially radially to the cir- 45 cumference at the opposite end of the notch.

Two stationary contacts 3la and 3H) acting as a circuit-controlling switch 3| extend from support IS in spaced and normally parallel relation, the extended end of contact 3Ia terminat- 5 ing in a detent 32 projecting laterally on the side of the same opposite the contact 3) and in the plane of disk [8.

The detent 32 is disposed to engage the rim of cam I! with the result that contact 3hr will be 55 pressed against contact 3|b at any position of disk during its rotation; except when the detent 32 bears against the notched surface 29 at its deepest end, contact 3|a moves out of engagement with contact 3|b, and the circuit controlled thereby, is open.

Another switch 33 is provided on disk 28 through 'the provision of two contact members 33a and 33b. Contact 33a is composed of spring material and extends peripherally of disk 28 on opposite sides of contact 331) with its free end bent toward the center of the disk and extending across the path of rotation of pin 39 on disk l8.

With the foregoing arrangement, it is apparent that at a determinate point in the rotation of disk l8, pin 30 will engage spring contact 33a and move the same out of engagement with contact 33b, thereby opening the circuit controlled by these contacts.

All wiring connections internally of casing I are made from a double contact, single throw relay, indicated generally by the reference numeral 34, switches 3| and 33, and motor M to a terminal support 35, adjacent entrance 9 in cover 8. This support carries six terminals, designated #2, #3, #4, #5 and #6, and the casing is provided with a threaded opening 36 in its bottom adjacent the terminal support 35 for connection with a conduit for external wiring (not shown).

In the use of the invention illustrated herein, there are three principal features of the control mechanism, namely: (1) the automatic timing device hereinbefore described, (2) a magnetic control valve and (3) a manually actuated momentary contact switch.

'To furnish a better understanding of the operating arrangement of the entire assembly, reference is made to the diagrammatic View, Figure 4. A valve is indicated by the reference numeral 31 which is attached to a supply line furnishing spray water to a centrifugal basket (not shown).

A solenoid plunger in the housing constitutes the valve actuating means and the solenoid coil is indicated by reference numeral 38. The momentary contact switch above referred to is numbered 39, and may be located at any convenient place for use by the operator of the .centrifugals.

The operation of the various circuits in the mechanism will now be explained. Current from a suitable source flows through a conductor 40 to terminal #I, this conductor, in practice, being in the external wiring conduit aforementioned. The current then flows through conductor 4| to terminal #5, and thence through conductor 42 to push button switch 39.

When button 39 is depressed, the switch closes the circuit and current flows through conductor 43 to terminal #6, thence through conductor 44, through a solenoid coil 34a of relay 34, then through conductor 45 to terminal #2 and thence to the current source through a conductor.

Energization of coil 34a of relay 34 closes contacts 41a and 41b of relay 34 causing current to flow from terminal #I, through conductors 48 and, 49 to the relay contact 41b, thence through conductors 50 and 60, through the winding 5| of motor l4, and thence back to the line through thence back to the line through conductor 45, terminal #2 and conductor 46.

When relay 34 is closed by energization of the solenoid coil 34a, current from the source flows through conductors 49, 48, 49 and 53 to contact 41a of relay 34, thence through conductor 56 to terminal #4, thence through conductor 51 to the solenoid coil 38 of the valve 31, and thence through conductor 58 to terminal #3 and back to the line through conductor 59, terminal #2 and conductor 46. Thus, the solenoid valve 31 is opened when relay 34 is energized.

Switch 3| is normally open, and when the synchronous motor I4' is set in operation by depressing push button 39, disk |8 revolves and closes switch 3|. Current then flows through conductor 40 to terminal #I, thence through conductor 48, through switch 3| and back to the other side of the line through conductor 60, motor winding 5| and conductor 52, terminal #2 and conductor 48.

The operation will be understood readily from the foregoing operative arrangement of parts. The operator depresses the push button to actuate switch 39 closing the circuit, and relay 34 is thereupon energized, opening valve 31 and starting synchronous motor H to operate.

Switch 33 is initially set to break the circuit through solenoid coil 38 after a selected time interval of operation, determined through selection of the position of indicator 23 relative to dial 20, the turning of the knob 22 serving to locate the bent end of contact 330, at a greater or lesser distance from pin 30 at the beginning of its rot'ation.

Withthe time interval thus determined, current will flow through solenoid coil 38 operating the valve plunger until pin 30 strikes the bent end of contact 33a and moves that contact out of engagement with contact 331). When this circuit is opened valve 31 immediately closes and no more water is delivered to the centrifugal basket until the operator again actuates button switch 39.

Each operation when repeated will result in the valve remaining open for an identical time period, unless a new interval is established by changing the position of the indicator relative to the dial.

This result requires that the pin 30 be in the same starting position for each operation, as the motor l4 continues to run after valve 31 closes. since its winding is energized through conductor 48, switch 3|, conductors 60, 52 and 46.

When disk l8 has made one complete revolution, switch 3| is opened by contact 3|a moving away from contact 3 b as the detent 32 follows the rim of the disk into the deepest portion of notch 29, and current no longer flows through the field winding of motor |4, causing it to stop.

Thereupon the mechanism is again ready for the next operating cycle. While the invention has been described in connection with the operation of a 1 R. P. M. motor, it will be apparent that different uses will require different operating periods, and motors operating at greater or lesser speeds throughout a considerable range may be employed.

Disk 28 with its adjustable switch 33 may be rotated through 360 degrees, and the dial 20 is divided into sixty divisions, so that in the example illustrated any period of operation from one second to one minute may be selected.

From the foregoing, it is apparent that the operator may actuate the push button switch intermittently, and obtain the same operation each time without further manual control. Likewise precise variations in operating cycles can be eito initially energize the motor circuit, means iected through the visual dial adjustment.

While the invention is illustrated ascontrolling the delivery 01 wash water to centriiugal'baskets, it will be obvious to anyone skilled in the art, that this control mechanism may be utilized wherever a uniform operating cycle control of a controlled element is desired.

Changes and modifications may be availed 01' within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the hereunto appended claims.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. Time'control mechanism, comprising a constant speed motor, a circuit for the motor, a circuit-breaker in the motor circuit mounted for movement by the motor to circuit-closing and circuit-opening positions, a relay in the motor circuit to start the motor and thereby move the circuit-breaker to a circuit-closing position, a switch controlling the current flow to the relay to initially energize the motor circuit, means operable by the motor to cause circuit-opening movement of the circuit-breaker at a predetermined moment after each start of the motor, an electric control device, a circuit for said device, inclusive of the relay, and a normally closed circuit-breaker in the control device circuit mounted for actuation by the motor to a circuit-opening position at a selective moment after each start of the motor.

2. Time control mechanism, comprising a constant speed motor, a circuit for the motor, a circuit-breaker in the motor circuit mounted for movement by the motor to circuit-closing and circuit-opening positions, a relay in the motor circuit to start the motor and thereby move the circuit-breaker to a circuit-closing position, a switch controlling the current flow to the relay to initially energize the motor circuit, means operable by the motor to cause circuit-opening movement of the circuit-breaker at a fixed predetermined moment after each start of the motor, an electric control device, a circuit for said device, inclusive of the relay, and a normally closed circuit-breaker in the control device circuit mounted for actuation by the motor to a circuitopening position at a selective moment after each start of the motor.

3. Time control mechanism, comprising a constant speed motor, a circuit for the motor, a normally open circuit-breaker in the motor circuit mounted for movement by the motor to circuitclosing and circuit-opening positions, a relay in the motor circuit to start the motor and thereby move the circuit-breaker to a circuit-closing position, a switch controlling the current flow to the relay to initially energize the motor circuit, means operable by the motor to cause circuitopening movement of the circuit-breaker at a predetermined moment after each start of the motor, an electric control device, a circuit for said device, inclusive of the relay, and a normally closed circuit-breaker in the control device circuit mounted for actuation by the motor to a circuit-opening position at a selective moment after each start of the motor.

4. Time control mechanism, comprising a constant speed motor, a circuit for the motor, a circuit-breaker in the motor circuit mounted for movement by the motor to circuit-closing and circuit-opening positions, a relay in the motor circuit to start the motor and thereby move the circuit-breaker to a circuit-closing position, a switch controlling the current flow to the relay operable by the motor to cause circuit-opening movement or the circuit-breaker at a predetermined moment aiter each start of the motor, an electric control device, a circuit for said device, inclusive of the relay, a normally closed circuitbreaker in the control device circuit mounted for actuation by the motor to a circuit-opening posi tion at a selective moment after each start of the motor, and means for initially selecting the actuating moment for the control device circuitbreaker.

5. Time control mechanism, comprising a constant speed motor, a circuit for the motor, a circuit-breaker in the motor circuit mounted for movement by the motor to circuit-closing and circuit-opening positions, a relay in the motor circuit to start the motor and thereby move the circuit-breaker to a circuit-closing position, a switch controlling the current flow to the relay to initially energize the motor circuit, means operable by the motor to cause circuit-opening movement of the circuit-breaker at a predetermined moment after each start of the motor, an electric control device, a circuit for said device, inclusive of the relay, an adjustable normally closed circuit-breaker in the control device circuit mounted for actuation by the motor to a circuit-opening position at a selective moment after each start of the motor, and manuallyoperable means for adjusting the circuit-breaker to selectively vary the interval of its circuitopening action after the start of the motor.

6. Time control mechanism, comprising a constant speed motor, a circuit for the motor, a circuit-breaker in the motor circuit mounted for movement by the motor to circuit-closing and circuit-opening positions, a relay in the motor circuit to start the motor and thereby move the circuit-breaker to a circuit-closing position, a switch controlling the current flow to the relay to initially energize the motor circuit, means operable by the motor to cause circuit-opening movement of the circuit-breaker at a predetermined moment after each start of the motor, an electric control device, a-circuit for said device, inclusive of the relay, an adjustable normally closed circuit-breaker in the control device circuit mounted for actuation by the motor to a circuit-opening position at a selective moment after each start of the motor, an indicatory element designating the operating period of the control-device circuit-breaker, and means cooperative With the indicatory element for initially selecting the actuating moment for opening the control device circuit-breaker.

7. Time control mechanism, comprising a constant speed motor, a circuit for the motor, a normally open circuit-breaker in the motor circuit, a cam acting on the circuit-breaker and mounted for movement by the motor to close and open the circuit therethrough, a relay in the motor circuit to start the motor and thereby move the circuit-breaker to a circuit-closing po sition through the intermediary oi the cam, a switch controlling the current flow to the relay to initially energize the motor circuit, the cam being movable to a circuit-opening position at a fixed moment after each start of the motor, an electric control device, a circuit, inclusive of the relay for energization of said device, and a normally closed circuit-breaker in the control device circuit mounted for actuation by the motor to a circuit-opening position at a selective moment after each start of the motor.

8. Time control mechanism, comprising a con stant speed motor, a circuit for the motor, a normally open circuit-breaker in the motor' circuit, a cam acting on the circuit-breaker and mounted for movement by the motor to close and open the circuit therethrough, a relay in the motor circuit to start the motor and thereby move the circuit-breaker to a circuit-closing position through the intermediary of the cam, a switch controlling the current flow to the relay to initially energize the motor circuit, the cam being movable to a circuit-opening position at a fixed moment after each start of the motor, an electric control device, a circuit, inclusive of the relay for energization of said device, and a normally closed circuit-breaker in the control device circuit mounted for actuation by the cam to a circuit-opening position at a selective moment after each start of the motor.

9. Time control mechanism, comprising a constant speed motor, a circuit for the motor, inclusive of a source of energy, a motor-actuated circuit-breaker in the motor circuit adapted to break the circuit at a fixed interval after each motor start, a relay in the motor circuit to start the motor and thereby actuate the circuit-breaker to its circuit-closing position, a switch controlling the current flow to the relay to initially energize the motor circuit, a second circuit, inclusive of a source of energy, the relay and a device to be time-operated, a normally open time control circuit-breaker in the latter circuit, and means actuated by the motor and acting on the time control circuit-breaker to open the same at a selective moment between each start and stop of the motor.

10. Time control mechanism, comprising a constant speed motor, a circuit for the motor, inclusive of a source of energy, a motor-actuated circuit-breaker in the motor circuit adapted to open the circuit at a fixed interval after each motor start, a relay in the motor circuit to start the motorand thereby actuate the circuit-breaker to its circuit-closing position, a switch controlling the current fiow to the relay to initially energize the motor circuit, a second circuit, inclusive of a source of energy, the relay and a device to be time-operated, and a motor-actuated circuit-breaker in the latter circuit adapted to open said circuit at a selective moment between each motor start and stop.

11. Time control mechanism, comprising a constant speed motor, a circuit for the motor, inclusive of a source of energy, a motor-actuated circuit-breaker in the motor circuit adapted to open the circuit after a fixed cycle of operation, a relay in the motor circuit to initiate motor operation, a switch controlling the current flow to the relay to initially energize the motor circult, a second circuit, inclusive of a source of energy. the relay and a device to be time-operated, and a motor-actuated circuit-breaker in the latter circuit adapted to open said circuit at a predetermined moment in the motor cycle.

12. In a time control device, a rotary cam provided with a notched periphery, a constant speed motor for rotating the cam, a normally open spring switch to control the operating cycle of' the motor having a contact member acting as a cam follower, said follower being held in circuitclosing position by the peripheral surface of the cam, exclusive of the notch, a pin on the cam, a

' normally closed time control switch having a contact member positioned in the path of the pin for movement thereby to a circuit-opening position during each revolution of the cam, and means for initiating operation of the motor to close its circuit.

13. In a time control device, a constant speed motor, a motor-stopping switch controlling the operating cycle of the motor, a motor-driven cam disposed to open the switch after a uniform interval during each revolution of the cam, 8. normally closed circuit-breaker mounted for manual rotation and controlling the operating period of the time control device, cooperative means on the cam and circuit-breaker for actuating the circuit-breaker to circuit-opening position during their engagement in the cycle of rotation of the cam, and means for holding the circuit-breaker against rotation during such engagement in any selective position.

14. In a time control device, a constant speed motor, a motor-stopping switch controlling the operating cycle of the motor, a motor-driven rotary element carrying a projection, a shaft adjacent the rotary element and concentric therewith, a normally closed circuit-breaker fixed on the shaft to control the operating cycle of the time control device and having an operating arm positioned in the path of the projection for engagement therewith during each revolution, and friction means resisting rotation of the shaft during such engagement.

15. In a time control device, a constant speed motor, a motor-stopping switch controlling the operating cycle of the motor, a motor-driven rotary element carrying a projection, a shaft adjacent and concentric with the rotary element mounted for manual rotation, a normally closed circuit-breaker fixed on the shaft to selectively vary the operating cycle of the time control device in the various positions in its rotation and having an operating arm positioned in the path of the projection for engagement therewith during each revolution, and friction means resisting rotation of the shaft during such engagement.

FRANK GAWAN. 

